Pathankot attack: Army rejects Pakistan's charge of 'insider role'

JAMMU: Army today rejected Pakistan's allegation of "insider's role" in the terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase and said it was planned and sponsored from across the border.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) that probed the terrorist attack has ruled out the role of an "insider", the General officer Commanding in Chief (GoC-in-C) of the western command of Army, Lt Gen K J Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function today.

"NIA has carried out a thorough probe an investigation and said that there was no insider hand. The statement of the Pakisatni team is incorrect", he said.

Singh said the attack on the airbase was "planned and sponsored" from across the border.

"It (the attack) was all sponsored, controlled, planned and logistics provided from across the border, especially by Jaish-e-Mohammed. People have been named, we have asked for Red Corner notice against them," he said.

"Our investigation agency has carried a very thorough probe. They have screened the concerned people and a conclusive judgment has been arrived at that there was no insider hand", Lt Gen Singh said.

Pakistan's Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had visited India in March in connection with the probe in the Pathankot terror attack perpetrated by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The terrorists had intruded into the strategic air base at Pathankot on the intervening night of January one-two and mounted the assault. In the fierce encounter that erupted, seven security personnel besides four terrorists were killed.